The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-11
26, and North Lewisburg, Feb 2, 1887.

recovery OF the CasstOwn church prop
erty. visited Columbus, FEBRUARY IL
and IL, 1887, to urge passage of amend
ment to the statutes of Ohio, pertaining
to non-used, or abandoned church prop
erty.
During January I sent to all parishes
blanks for reports for 1886. accompanied
each blank with personal letter urging
promptness in return. Also by instruc-
ton of the Executive Committee, sent in
same envelope circular letter giving no.
tice Of the respective amounts assessed
upon the churches, by vote of the last
Convention. A postal card was enclosed
to each parish.
While quite q number of clerks re-
sponded promptly with their reports
others we're more tardy, and number of
our best churches have not been heard
from in this direction. My only means
of securing statistics is by transferring
from last years report, the facts have
failed to secure for this.
A number of reports received, are de-
ficient in important particulars, thus
making it impossible to present accurate
statistics.
To date, reports have been received
direct and indirect from seventy-five
churches. The present status of our
Convention obtained by use of figures
received this year, and those transferred
from report for last year Is as follows:
Parishes, rs; members, 4,011; Sunday
school members, 2,635; united with the
church from Sunday-schools, 1873; total
value church property, $247, O25; indebt-
edness, $3.50; current expenses, $50, 1877.
AZ; improvements, 1915; payment of
debt, 1874; number churches insured IL;
amount of insurance, $59,357; contribu-
tions for general purposes SO, 771.91; num-
Der Of families attending worship, 1923;
number of families contributing, 1,457;
number OF families represented in Sun
day schools, who do not attend church,
1863. The reports are largely deficient in
financial facts. Gould we know the
amount OF money given for all purposes
during the past year we would be agree
ably surprised.
Postal card responses to notices of as
sessments we're received quite promptly,
and in few instances, the money was
the answer. Others promised attention in
due season; while the confessions OF pow
erty Of spirit given by others, are humil-
iating. have preserved these cards and
trust to see the day, when those parishes
who plead financial inability to respond
to the limited calls of the Convention,
for funds to meet its legitimate expenses
will have better understanding OF priv
ilege and duty.
The work of my Office in looking after
collections of subscriptions and notes Civ
en- for Permanent Fund, has largely in
creased. Full particulars concerning
financial transactions will be found in
documents submitted.
A statement of unpaid subscriptions
and notes given prior to May l., 1887, is
also given, the same amounting to-.
Quite sum remains unpaid of the West
vile subscription, and as the three years
limit expires with this Convention, it is
all now due.
respectfully call attention to amend
ments of Constitution offered by Rev.
J. P. MacLean and B. F. Thomas. The
correspondence of the Office has been
large I have endeavored to promptly
| perform all duties in this line, and to
treat courteously every communication
received. Fraternally,
j. W. HENLEY, Secretary.
| Other official Reports.
The report of the Treasurer, Execu-
tive Committee and Auditing Commit
tee, were also presented. The Execu-
tive Report will be found on the fifth
page. The Auditing Committees report,
in which is embraced, up in succinct
form, the financial status of the Con-
vention is presented herewith.
Auditing Committee.
To the Ohio Uniuersalist Convention, in ses-
sion at North Leaoisburg, June 2, 1887:
BRETHREN: Your Auditing Commit
tee, appointed by the Executive Commit
tee to Examine the accounts of the Con-
vention's Secretary and Treasurer, and
to "certify as to their correctness or
otherwise" has performed its duty and
begs to submit the following report:
| l. We find, The balance in the hands of the
Treasurer, June 2, 1886, according 10 the re-
| port of that officer for the year ending at that
date-which report appears, from the Secre-
! tary's records, never to have been properly
audited or accepted by the Convention. and of
| whose correctness, therefore, we know moth
ing-to have been $l,599.53.
| q We ind, That there has been received by
| the Secretary, and transferred to the Treas
urer, for which the proper vouchers have been
produced, s2,941.19.
g. We find, That there has been paid out by
| the Treasurer, on properly drawn ORDERS
| signed by President and Secretary of Execu-
| tive Committee, $1,727.67.
| 4. We ind, The balance in the hands of the
Treasurer, May l, 1887, to be as follows: (d)
Notes, with satisfactory security, $8l574. o.
Cash, in Third National Bank, of Urbana as
per bank book, xl.9973I. Total on hand in
treasury, all duly accounted for, $2,sl3.05.
5. We ind, In the hands of the Secretary,
sixty notes on account of Permanent Mission